Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Description
Leash for dots or other domestic animals
The present patent application for industrial invention relates to a
leash with adjustable-length cord for dogs or other domestic animals.
The peculiarities and advantages of the invention will become more
evident following to a short description of the prior art.
As it is known, dog leashes with adjustable-length cords have been
available for a long time.
Similar leashes are composed of a basically circular box-shaped body
molded from plastic materials, from the perimeter of which a rigid handle
protrudes, in which the user can insert his hand and exert the force
io necessary to hold his dog.
Said box-shaped body contains a cord-winding device controlled by
means of a button situated near the handle, in such a position to be easily
actuated with the thumb of the hand that holds the handle.
Said cord-winding device of traditional type comprises a grooved roll
is subject to the action of a return spring, the rotation of which can be
stopped
by the user by means of the external button.
The internal end of the cord is fixed inside the groove of said grooved
roll in such a way that the cord can be wound and unwound with respect to
said groove during inverse rotations of the roll.
20 If the user decides to let the dog move away, he simply needs to allow
the dog cause the free rotation of the roll and consequently the progressive
unwinding of the cord by means of traction.
Instead, when the user decides to oppose the animal's desire to move
away, he simply needs to press the button in order to block the roll at end-of-
25 travel position and stop the free rotation of the roll instantaneously.
The release of the button will unblock the roll and allow the dog to
move away freely.
It must be noted that the free rotation of the roll must be also
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maintained when the user wants to recover the cord in order to reduce the
distance from the dog.
Such a recovery can be obtained only when the dog is in static
condition, that is to say when the force of the return spring associated with
the roll does not exceed the animal's traction force and does not impose
inverse rotation to the roll.
In spite of being very popular today, such a technology is impaired by
severe functional drawbacks that mostly depend on the external box-shaped
structure, which is provided with a handle in which the user can only insert
his
io fingers.
The first of these functional limitations is related to the fact that the
dog owner is forced to constantly use one of his hands to hold the dog, firmly
holding the handle of the leash in order to control the animal and its freedom
of movement.
Of course, such a requirement is a great limitation for the freedom of
action of the dog owner who cannot use the hand that holds the leash for
other purposes, such as reading the newspaper, holding a shopping bag or
the bicycle handle.
It can be said that the user of such a traditional leash can never let the
handle go, not even when he needs to use both hands and wants to "park"
the dog outside a shop.
In fact, the box-shaped rigid structure with handle does not allow for
fixing the leash, not even for a short period of time, to an extemporaneous
fixing point, such as the post of a traffic light, the grille of a railing,
the boards
of a bench, and so on.
The impossibility to let the handle of a traditional leash go, including
temporarily, creates an additional problem that mostly occurs during the cold
months.
In fact, the user cannot put the hand used to hold the leash firmly in
3o his pocket, thus being inevitably exposed with high discomfort to low
temperatures.
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The lateral tension due to the traction exerted by the animal that
moves laterally with respect to the person holding the leash causes the
rotation of the handle with respect to the palm, in such a way to generate
friction and collisions on the knuckles.
s Moreover, the constant use of such a traditional leash, with the
consequent need to hold the handle firmly, causes the onset of significant
pathologies for the user's muscles and joints of hand and wrist.
Starting from these critical evaluations of the prior art, the present
invention intends to provide a leash still with adjustable-length cord that is
io actually able to remedy the aforementioned functional limitations.
To that end, the new leash of the invention comprises a box-shaped
circular body that contains the traditional cord-winding roll, which is
preferably
molded from plastic materials.
However, in this case the box-shaped body does not incorporate the
is traditional rigid handle, in favor of a more effective and more versatile
holding
means obtained with molding.
Said holding means consists in a large tubular handle with open
annular profile, with free ends pivoted on opposite sides into corresponding
holes made on opposite sides on a basically rectilinear tubular short pipe
20 obtained on the outside of a circumference section of said box-shaped body
that contains the cord-winding roll.
It must be noted that the internal diameter of said basically circular
handle is higher than the external diameter of the box-shaped body.
A first purpose of the present invention can be achieved, which
25 consists in allowing the user to control the dog leash with high efficacy
and
practicalness.
First of all, the presence of an annular handle with large dimensions
gives the user the possibility of holding the handle as desired in any point
of
its circumference.
30 Secondly, the presence of such an annular handle is the most suitable
solution to allow the user of the leash of the invention to perfectly control
his
dog, while having both hands free.
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Because of the width, said handle allows the user for inserting his
forearm up to the elbow.
In such a way the user is sure that the leash will not slip out of his
hands unintentionally (also in case of sudden pull from the dog) and at the
same time is free to use the hand of the arm inserted in such a handle.
Considering that the new leash of the invention can be efficaciously
held with the forearm, it is easy to understand that it is an advantageous
solution to the additional drawbacks of the prior art.
. The above is true not only because it protects the users wrist and
io hand against the aforementioned stress on muscles and joints, but also
because it allows the user to control the dog while keeping both hands in his
pockets in case of very low temperatures during the coldest months.
Aside from the latter consideration, it must be noted that the level of
comfort for the users hand of the leash of the invention is additionally
increased because the annular handle is designed to contain an electrically-
powered heating means (possibly an electrical resistance with batteries) to
maintain the external surface warm.
Another purpose of the present invention is, unlike the prior art, to
allow the user to fix the leash easily and rapidly to any occasional fixing
point,
whenever the user intends to renounce the animal's direct control for a short
period of time.
For such a reason the basically annular handle of the leash of the
invention is provided with articulated structure formed of two identical semi-
circular sections that can be uncoupled and separated.
Practically, the two semi-circular sections can be considered as a pair
of claws, since their back ends are pivoted on opposite sides to the short
pipe
incorporated into the box-shaped body that contains the cord-winding roll.
The front ends of the two semi-circular sections are designed to be
brought in contact one against the other to give continuity to the annular
structure of the handle that is formed by them, and at the same time they can
be separated by taking advantage of their autonomous capability of rotating
by 3600 with respect to their pivoting pin.
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When the user intends to park his dog for a short period of time, he
must separate the two sections of the annular handle by means of mutual
rotation to allow for inserting a light post, a rod of a bench or a metal
section
of a railing through their opening.
5 Then the user must simply bring the separable sections back together
in order to restore the continuity of the annular structure of the handle and
close them behind said occasional fixing point. The above ensures that the
leash of the invention cannot be detached, even in case of the dog's
energetic traction, unless the semi-circular sections that act as claws are
io separated again.
A last purpose of the present invention is to reduce the volume of the
leash of the invention, in spite of high versatility and functionality, when
it is
not used, and therefore not only during preliminary packaging or storage
before sale, but also at the final user's domicile.
As mentioned above, the circular box-shaped body that contains the
cord-winding roll is pivoted at the opposite back ends of said basically
annular handle.
This is done to guarantee that the same box-shaped body can rotate
between the ends of the handle.
This allows for passing from an "external" position, in which it is hung
to the handle, to an "internal" position, in which it is exactly engaged
inside
the handle.
In particular, the "external" position must be adopted by the box-
shaped body when the entire leash is in operational condition, whereas the
"internal" position must be adopted to reduce the total volume of the leash
when it is in idle position.
Moreover, the fact that the box-shaped body can rotate freely between
the two ends of the handle is also advantageous for another reason.
In fact, the box-shaped body can spontaneously change its orientation
with respect to the handle, according to the traction force exerted by the
animal.
This condition reduces the effort necessary to hold the handle and the
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consequent friction on the user's hand.
Finally, it must be noted that, compared to the prior art, the adoption of
said annular handle with large dimensions has also involved the introduction
of different modes with regard to the assembly and operation of the button
used to stop and release the cord-winding roll contained inside the box-
shaped body of the leash of the invention.
For purposes of clarity, the description of the invention continues with
reference to the enclosed drawings, which are intended for purposes of
illustration only and not in a limiting sense, wherein:
io - figure 1 is an axonometric view of the leash of the invention in
operational
position;
- figure 2 is an exploded axonometric view of the leash of the invention;
- figure 3 is an axonometric view that shows the two halves of the handle of
the leash of the invention in separate position;
is - figures 4A-4D show the operation modes of the button that actuates and
stops the cord-winding disc of the leash of the invention;
- figures 5, 5A and 5B are axonometric views that show the solution adopted
to ensure the stable fixing of the two halves of the handle of the leash of
the
invention;
20 - figure 6 is an additional axonometric view of the leash shown in fig. 1;
- figure 7 is a cutaway of the leash of the invention showing the internal
parts.
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the leash of the invention (1), which is
preferably obtained from molding plastic materials, comprises a basically
circular box-shaped body (2), with respect to which the cord designed to be
25 attached to the animal's collar can be wound or unwound.
The box-shaped body (2) is formed of two identical cooperating semi-
shells (20a, 20b) and is designed to contain a traditional cord-winding pulley
(3), the central hole (3a) of which is coupled with the pins (2a) that
protrude
centrally on the inside of the semi-shells (20a, 20b).
30 The cord attached to the dog is unwound from the perimeter groove of
the pulley (3) by means of the simple traction exerted by the animal, whereas
spontaneous winding is generated by a return spring (not shown in the
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enclosed drawings) provided on the pulley (3).
Normally, the rotation of the pulley (3) can be stopped and released
by means of a button (4) that operates with the interposition of suitable
return
means (5).
The peculiarity of said box-shaped body (2) consists in the fact that it
incorporates a basically rectilinear short pipe (6) in external position on a
section of its circumference, at the ends of which the pins (7) of a large
handle (8) with open annular profile and circular or elliptical cross-section
are
inserted.
io The coupling between the pins (7) of the handle (8) and the ends of
the pipe (6) of the box-shaped body (2) is such that the box-shaped body (2)
can rotate freely by 360 around the handle (8).
More precisely, the pins (7) are perimetrally provided with two circular
projections (7a) designed to be exactly engaged inside corresponding
grooves (6a) provided inside said ends of the pipe (6).
In order not to interfere with the rotation of the circular box-shaped
body (2) its diameter is lower than the internal diameter of the handle (8).
Moreover, it must be noted that the annular profile given to the handle
(8) has required a specific solution to obtain said interaction between the
hold-and-release button (4) and the rotary disc (3).
Referring to Fig. 2, the return means (5) that cooperate with the button
(4) and allow stop/release the cord-winding pulley (3) consist in a monolithic
cylindrical cursor (40) associated with a flexible cable (41) on one side and
with an arched claw (42) on the other side.
The flexible cable (41) ends with a point (41 a) that is constantly
inserted into a conical blind seat (50) situated on the retention hook (60) of
the pulley (3).
Such a hook (60) is pivoted with respect to a housing (70) obtained
inside the pipe (6), in such a way to oscillate with respect to an axis (Y)
orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the pins (7) of the handle (8).
The hook (60) is constantly subject to the action of a spiral spring (61)
that holds it in end-of-travel position, in which it does not interfere with
the
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radial arms (3b) of the pulley (3) that remains free to rotate around the pins
(2a).
Under the thrust of the button (4), the point (41a) of the cable (41)
causes the rotation of the hook (60) with respect to said axis (Y), overcoming
the contrast force of said return spring (61).
Following to said thrust, the hook (60) interferes with the radial arms
(3b) of the pulley (3), stopping its rotation in the direction that
corresponds to
cord unwinding.
The forward travel of the cursor (40) encounters resistance in a
io corresponding return spring (90) inserted along the cable (41).
Therefore, when the user's thrust on the button (4) ends, the cursor
(40) is recalled directly by the spring (90) and indirectly by the spiral
spring
(61) that spontaneously discharges its thrust on the hook (60).
Moreover, it must be noted that the arched claw (42) of the cursor (40)
carries out a guide and centering function inside the handle (8) for the
alternate travels of the latter.
Figures 4A to 4D show the operation modes of said button (4).
First of all, as shown in Fig. 4A, the handle (8) is provided on one of its
external sides with an L-shaped central notch (100) that is formed of a
longitudinal section (100a) with upper end facing the top of the handle (8),
whereas the lower end faces the box-shaped body (2); it being provided that
the lower end is joined with the transversal section (100b) of the notch
(100).
The notch (100) is crossed by a short stem (4b) that protrudes on the
inside of said button (4) in such a way to be exactly engaged into a
corresponding hole (40b) provided on the cylindrical cursor (40).
The button (4) is practically composed of a mobile plate that slides
along the external surface of the handle (8) in such a way that its travels
can
guide the travels of the stem (4b) inside the notch (100).
The plate is externally provided with projections that act as friction
surface to improve the interference that the user's thumb must produce to
cause the necessary travels with respect to said L-shaped notch (100).
Referring to fig. 4B, the idle position of the button (4) is the maximum
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retraction position, when it is situated at the maximum distance from the box-
shaped body (2), whereas the stem (4b), together with the cursor (40) joined
to it, is maintained at the height of the upper end of the longitudinal
section
(100a) of the notch (100).
In such a situation, the pulley (3) contained inside the box-shaped
body (2) is free to rotate forward because of the traction exerted by the dog
on the cable fixed to it.
Fig. 4C shows the button (4) in the maximum advance position - after
a forward travel (a) - when the stem (4b) is brought in correspondence with
io the lower end of the longitudinal section (100a) of the notch (100).
In such a case the pulley (3) is temporarily stopped, and remains
stopped only if the interference of the user's thumb on the button (4)
continues.
Fig. 4D shows the button (4) in lateral translated position, when the
stem (4a) is inserted into the transversal section (100b) of the notch (100).
The effect of such an insertion is to obtain the permanent stop of the
pulley (3) that is maintained also if the interference of the user's thumb on
the
button(4)ends.
In order to avoid the accidental uncoupling of the stem (4b) from the
transversal section (100b) of the notch (100) obtained on the handle (8), the
transversal section (100b) is provided with a bend (100b') in which the stem
(4b) is inserted and engaged under the pressure of said spring (90) in
compressed condition.
Because of the need to contain both the cursor (40) and the cable
(41), the handle (8) is provided with internally empty tubular structure.
According to the preferred embodiment shown in the enclosed figures,
the handle (8) is formed of two basically C-shaped semi-parts (80, 81), which
are similar and opposite.
The two semi-parts (80, 81) incorporate the axial rotational pins (7) at
the back ends (7), whereas the front ends (80a, 81a) are provided with
coupling means in order to allow for stable fixing necessary to give
continuity
to said open annular profile of the entire handle (8).
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Referring to Fig. 3, the possibility of separating (with cutting force) and
closing the two semi-parts (80, 81) has been provided in order to allow them
to operate as two claws with respect to a post or bar where the leash of the
invention (1), together with the animal, is to be temporarily fixed.
5 Practically, the secure fixing of the two semi-parts (80, 81) is
guaranteed when the free ends (80a, 81a) are brought into contact by two
magnets (M) suitably engaged inside them.
In order to guarantee higher stability and magnetic coupling, the two
semi-parts (80, 81) provide male-female coupling, according to the
io description below.
Figures 5, 5A and 5B show another device that has been devised in
order to stabilize the coupling of the two semi-parts (80, 81); in particular,
it is
a technical solution that pursues such a purpose also when the
aforementioned magnets are not inserted in the two semi-parts (80, 81).
A sleeve (800) is inserted in the end section of the first semi-part (80)
and continuously subject to a forward thrust discharged by a helicoidal spring
(801) inserted in a perimeter groove (802) obtained near the free end (80a).
The thrust of the spring (801) is such that, if it remains subject to its
force, the sleeve (800) tends to partially protrude beyond the free end (80a)
of the semi-part (80).
For this reason, in order to engage the two semi-parts (80, 81) one
against the other, the sleeve (800) must be subject to a backward travel,
overcoming the contrary force of the spring (801) so that the free ends (80a,
81 a) of the semi-parts (80, 81) can be brought in mutual contact.
When the coupling is made, a special housing (803) is formed
between the two semi-parts (80, 81) astride them with basically J-shaped
profile, as shown in Fig. 5.
The sleeve (800) is internally provided with a peg (800a) adapted to
exactly engage inside the housing (803).
Once the coupling between the two semi-parts (80, 81) has been
completed, the sleeve (800) can be released and subject to the force of the
spring (801) that tends to push it forwards.
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Because of such a forward travel, the sleeve (800) also embraces the
end section of the opposite semi-part (81), thus avoiding the risk that the
end
sections of the two semi-parts (80, 81) can be accidentally uncoupled under
the effect of an accidental cutting force.
Now referring to Fig. 5B, the insertion of said peg (800a) of the sleeve
(800) in the shortest section of the housing (803) generated during the
forward travel of the sleeve (800) prevents it from moving backwards
accidentally and eliminating the secure centering and connection function
between the opposite sections of the two semi-parts (80, 81).
io As shown in Fig. 3, the secure fixing of the opposite sections of the
two semi-parts (80, 81) can be obtained also with a different technical-
functional solution for male-female coupling.
According to such an alternative solution a cylindrical appendix with
enlarged head (900), with a basically mushroom-shaped profile, protrudes
axially from the centre of the free end (80a) of the first semi-part (80),
which
is designed to be exactly engaged inside a corresponding seat (901) provided
with lateral access obtained starting from the free end (81 a) of the second
semi-part (81).
It appears evident that the adoption of the enlarged head allows the
cylindrical appendix (900) of the first semi-part (80) to remain inside the
seat
(901) also in case of energetic backward traction exerted on it in axial
direction.
Because of this, the opposite sides of the two semi-parts (80, 81)
cannot be accidentally uncoupled, but the sleeve (800) that cooperates with
the housing (803) positioned astride the two semi-parts (80, 81) can be used
for higher safety purposes, regardless of the fact that said safety sleeve is
not
shown in the aforementioned figure 3.
Figures 1 and 6 show another solution that has been studied to
prevent the accidental coupling of the two semi-parts (80, 81) because of
3o accidental sliding in radial direction.
Also this solution can be used both without and with the
aforementioned magnets that can be housed inside the free ends (80a, 81 a)
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of the two semi-parts (80, 81).
In particular, said alternative safety means consists in a special fixing
bracket (G) composed of two opposite arms (902) joined on top by a cross-
piece (903) with curved profile that covers approximately half section of the
handle (8).
The lower ends of the arms (902) of said bracket (G) are pivoted on
opposite sides to the second semi-part (81) in a slightly more internal
position
with respect to the free end (81 a).
Fig. 6 shows the same bracket (G) in non-operational position; Fig. 1
io shows the same bracket (G) in operational position, when it acts to avoid
the
uncoupling between the two semi-parts (80, 81).
The passage of the bracket (G) from operational position to non-
operational position (and vice versa) can only occur after uncoupling the two
semi-parts (80, 81); in such a way, the bracket (G) is free to make the
necessary rotation of about 180 starting from its operational position.
Then, the user must couple the two semi-parts (80, 81) again and
engage the bracket (G) into a corresponding housing (904) outside the first
semi-part (80). As mentioned above, the handle (8) must be internally
empty to contain some parts adapted to interact with said winding roll (3).
To that end, each of the semi-parts (80, 81) is composed of two snap-
in semi-shells, as shown in the exploded view of fig. 2.
Such a device is especially advantageous in order to give the handle
(8) the aforesaid self-heating function, as shown in fig. 7.
One of the two semi-parts (81) can house one or more electrical
heating devices (905) - preferably electrical resistances - whereas the other
semi-part (80) can contain a corresponding series of power batteries (906).
The possibility to open the two semi-parts (80, 81) by uncoupling the
semi-shells allows the final user of the leash of the invention (1) to easily
replace the batteries (906) when they are exhausted.
The electrical connection between the batteries (906) and said one or
more heating devices (905) is favored by the contact between two metal
plates (907) positioned in the centre of the free ends (80a, 81a) of the two
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semi-parts (80, 81).
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, each of said
electrical heating devices (905) consists in an electric circuit composed of
very thin copper filaments immersed in a conductive graphite paste spread
inside the sleeve (8).
Of course, said heating devices can be activated and deactivated at
the discretion of the user of the leash of the invention (1) by means of a
switch (not shown in the enclosed drawings) controlled by a button installed
in
the handle (8).
io The electrical connection, can also be made with a cable that crosses
the empty handle (8) from one side to another.
